Thickwood Transit Station mural takes shape below Centrefire Arena
A vibrant public art initiative — the Thickwood Transit Station mural — is currently underway on the retaining walls beneath Centrefire Arena, led by artists Blake Loder, Logan Lauger, Maia Wendel and Sofiya Novikova. The project, located near the intersection of Thickwood Boulevard and Eymundson Road, aims to enliven a prominent public space and is still in progress. Passersby and transit riders are already seeing parts of the work emerging as artists continue painting on site.
Artists and collaboration
Blake Loder, Logan Lauger, Maia Wendel and Sofiya Novikova are credited as the lead artists on the Thickwood Transit Station mural project. The group is working together on the retaining walls below Centrefire Arena to deliver a cohesive public artwork intended to enhance the streetscape.
The project is described as a public art initiative and the artists have been coordinating their efforts directly at the site. Their collaboration reflects a combined approach to scale and composition suited to the long concrete surfaces at the transit station.
Location and public visibility
The mural occupies the retaining walls beneath Centrefire Arena, positioned near the busy junction of Thickwood Boulevard and Eymundson Road. That siting gives the work high visibility to drivers, transit users and arena visitors passing through the Thickwood neighbourhood.
Because the walls face a transit hub and pedestrian routes, the artwork is likely to become a daily visual marker for commuters and local residents. Its placement also means the mural will be viewed from multiple angles, including from the adjacent sidewalks and the transit platform.
Design intent and visual impact
Organizers say the mural is intended to transform a utilitarian concrete surface into a welcoming piece of public art. The design aims to activate the space beneath the arena and provide a visually engaging backdrop for the transit station.
As sections of the wall are completed, the impact of scale becomes clearer — long, continuous imagery can change how people perceive the strip of land and help knit the transit facility into the surrounding neighbourhood. The artwork is expected to become a local landmark that contributes to Thickwood’s visual identity.
Community and transit integration
Public murals at transit nodes often serve multiple civic purposes, including placemaking and improving perceptions of safety through increased daytime activity. The Thickwood Transit Station mural similarly addresses both aesthetic and functional concerns by bringing creative energy to a high-use public area.
Beyond immediate visual benefits, such projects can encourage residents to use public space differently and may reduce neglect or vandalism when maintained. The mural’s proximity to Centrefire Arena also links recreational and transit functions, offering spectators and players an enhanced arrival and departure experience.
Progress and timeline
Work on the retaining walls is ongoing and the mural remains in progress, with artists continuing to paint onsite. Progress has been visible to neighbours and commuters as sections are prepared, sketched and gradually filled in with color.
Completion timing may depend on weather and material curing, and the artists are advancing the piece in phases to address the scale of the walls. For now, the project continues to evolve in public view and will be revealed incrementally as work proceeds.
Next steps and public access
As the mural nears completion, the artists and any project partners will likely coordinate final site preparations and protective coatings to ensure longevity. When finished, the wall will be accessible for public viewing from surrounding sidewalks and transit platforms without the need for special access.
Local residents are encouraged to observe the project from safe vantage points and respect the working area while painters are onsite. The finished mural is expected to offer a new visual focal point for the Thickwood community and regular transit users.
The Thickwood Transit Station mural is a visible example of how targeted public art can activate infrastructure and enhance everyday travel routes, and its ongoing progress is drawing attention to the role of art in public space.
